Remote I/O Connections / Wiring in Switchgear

The information is encoded, sent down a data link or network cable, and decoded at the other end.

Thanks so the above understanding is correct and need to add encoding process.

No need to worry about it. The equipment does it all. All the user has to do is join it all up and configure the I/O. Presumably a full suite of equipment manuals is to hand?

What do they teach in schools now?

Nothing worthwhile, I'd guess.

Thanks we are on learning curve would appreciate if you experienced Gurus add some more or some links

In order to do that, some detailed information of the equipment is use is a prerequisite.

Come to think of it, if that information were available, it could have been in an internet search engine and everything done and dusted by now...

That's what schools are for.

Finding Information on the Internet: Table of Contents
How to search for Internet resources to use in a lesson

What ever happened to reading books and studying your assigned task? How about TALKING to potential vendors with good support in YOUR area and explaining to them what you would like to accomplish?

At the risk of contributing to the "dumbing down" of the professional world, here is a place to start.

Begin by studying the term "switchgear", which generally does NOT contain contactors. A contactor is what provides a means of controlling a load, the MCCB is the means of PROTECTING the conductors. You can monitor the STATUS of an MCCB, and you can easily initiate a trip via an external signal, but CLOSING an MCCB remotely is not an easy task. In order to accomplish that, you must affix a motorized operator mechanism, often more expensive than the MCCB itself. Using a DCS to turn small molded case circuit breakers on and off is an extreme overkill in my opinion. Better to use a Motor Control Center or Power Control Center for that, because that implies contactors, and contactors are easy to control.

Secondly, if you have any type of digital control system, such as your DCS or SCADA / PLC system, the addition of analog I/O and transducers to monitor power is cumbersome and expensive compared to all of the options now available from solid state protection and control elements, such as digital MCCBs and Overload Relays. A single network interface appliance (card) in each cubical is now all that is necessary to accomplish full monitoring and control of power. Consider that before launching a new installation into an antiquated system that will be difficult to support in the long run.

In other words, do some research.

Thank god I'm retired!

I only have the internet to drive me insane now.

Have you not heard of A to D (Analogue to Digital) converters or D to A converters?